Letters To The Editor

June 09, 2008

No need for OLF

This is a rebuttal to Adm. David Anderson's article, "Landing field aids security," June 5. I live in the Sandbanks site in North Carolina, which has been targeted for an outlying landing field, and I have not been shown the need for an OLF.

Have you ever heard a top commander state that his squadrons or command were not ready for action when needed? Never have I heard those words.

Practice flights for East Coast wing carrier squadrons are currently being performed at NAS Oceana. Fentress Airfield is already under-used, and the Navy wants to waste taxpayer dollars to destroy thousands of acres of precious farmlands, forests and wildlife habitats, not to mention forcing generational families from homes and lands.

There are so many options available to the Navy to utilize and reduce wasteful spending and add support to their operations without destroying so much of our nation's environment. The military forces must learn to work together rather than trying to maintain their status quo of which branch is the best ---- only then can we be strong and capable for whatever the future brings.

Most of the five proposed OLF sites are rural communities with hard-working people who have spent their whole lives obtaining what little they own. We are simple country people, but we are not ignorant and will not stand by and absorb all the misrepresentations being heaped upon us.

Building a new bridge-tunnel in the Interstate 64/Route 60 corridor is clearly necessary for the Hampton Roads region. One feature this new bridge-tunnel should have is a sidewalk for pedestrians and bicycles. Hampton and Norfolk are close enough that people can easily bicycle between them, and walking is also feasible.

In this time of rising fuel prices and global warming, it is important to give people the option of traveling between Hampton and Norfolk without using a motor vehicle.

David Dorfman

Newport News

No time for taxes

Did Virginians truly elect Gov. Tim Kaine to office? I question this because every time I read the Daily Press, he is suggesting we raise taxes one way or another. I am a lifelong Virginia resident, and I can not believe that he does not understand the needs of the people of Virginia. What about health care, affordable housing, how about an increase in income (and I don't mean his) or lowering gas prices?

How about reducing real estate assessments so taxes will be lower on our homes? When the budget was cut for Newport News, I didn't see a thing about cutting city officials' salaries or their retirement programs. Our state and city officials get paid far more than the average resident, and does the average resident have a retirement plan? I doubt it; we seem to live payday to payday.

So, no, Gov. Kaine, I don't think Virginians want to hear about tax increases of any kind. Maybe he would like to walk in our shoes for awhile. I do believe our ancestors came to America because of an overpowering government, taxes and for religious freedom.

Patsy Thorpe-Gowens

Newport News

Transit is growing

After reading the editorial "Road solutions," May 23, and as president of the Virginia Transit Association, I felt compelled to respond.

The editorial asks who will ride transit, suggesting that no one will. But in truth, Virginians are riding more now than ever, especially on suburban commuter routes even outside of Northern Virginia, in Richmond, Charlottesville, and even in Hampton Roads. Transit ridership is at a 50-year high. Hampton Roads Transit reported a 32 percent ridership increase on its express routes in the last four months. Families who use transit have found that it can reduce the need for an additional car, saving about $6,251 per year.

We should not be so quick to dismiss the relevance of improved and expanded public transportation for Hampton Roads in light of the significant and documented benefits, including: fuel conservation, reduced greenhouse gases, congestion management, improved air quality and mobility for those who simply cannot or do not want to brave the highway storm.

The editorial questioned the equity of the governor's transportation proposal, claiming the Lynchburgs and Galaxes of Virginia would be footing the bill for transit in other parts of the state. There are 40 successful public transit agencies servicing various suburban areas in Virginia, all of which would benefit from the governor's proposal.

Finally, public transit encourages more compact development, a model most jurisdictions are trying to incorporate into their comprehensive plans, including those in Newport News, Hampton, and York and James City counties.

An improved and accessible transit network has a growing role in a balanced transportation system and we commend Gov. Tim Kaine for his proposed Transportation Change Fund.